Yet Another Gaming Deal for Hasbro - Analyst Blog

By: Zacks.com

Posted: 8/15/2013 10:30:00 AM

Referenced Stocks: ATVI;DIS;EA;HAS

Toy maker
Hasbro Inc.
(
HAS
) recently added another feather in its crown by signing a deal
with Paris-based digital gaming company Ubisoft Entertainment SA.
Per the deal, Ubisoft will develop and publish current and
next-generation console games based on a few of Hasbro's popular
gaming brands, including Monopoly, Scrabble (in the US and Canada
only), Trivial Pursuit, Risk, Battleship and Cranium. Financial
terms and conditions of the deal have not been disclosed yet.

Why Ubisoft?

Ubisoft is a recognized name in the console gaming
arena. It develops, publishes and distributes video games
for portable and home consoles, personal computers, smartphones,
and tablets globally. Notably, console game is a form of
interactive multimedia used for entertainment purpose. Ubisoft's
expertise in the console gaming space makes it worth considering
for a partnership.

Transition to Digital Gaming: An Industry Trend

Hasbro has been working hard to transition its product portfolio
from traditional board games/toys to digital solutions to cope
with recent trends. Actually, these days, toy manufacturers have
been negatively impacted by age "compression" as children are
growing up faster. Toy manufacturers have to battle a broad array
of alternative modes of entertainment including video games, MP3
players, tablets, smartphones and other electronic devices.

Hence, of late, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company has been
signing back-to-back deals with several gaming companies. Last
month, Hasbro signed as many as three digital gaming deals. One
was with the global leader in digital interactive entertainment
business,
Electronic Arts Inc.
(
EA
). Hasbro also acquired a 70% stake in Boulder, Colo.-based
Backflip Studios that develops some of the most sought-after
mobile games including DragonVale, NinJump, and Paper Toss. It
also signed a multi-year licensing agreement with
The Walt Disney Co
(
DIS
).

Deals like these provide Hasbro an opportunity to participate in
the fast-growing digital gaming/casual entertainment category, a
market that is expected to grow significantly in the years ahead.

One company in the field of console gaming and mobile interactive
entertainment products that is currently performing well is
Activision Blizzard Inc.
(
ATVI
), currently carrying a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).